Fisherman files restraining order against BP

[Cees Binkhorst]

REPLY TO: D66 at nic.surfnet.nl

Visserman kan komende jaren vak niet meer uitoefenen, enige kans op
verdiensten is olieruimen, wordt gedwongen de olie te ruimen zonder
beschermende kleding en luchtfilters.
Komt in ziekenhuis terecht en BP geeft aan dat ze slecht hebben gegeten
én neemt kleding in beslag (dit laatste dus gewoon diefstal).

En Obama blijft aan de kant zitten!

Groet / Cees

Fisherman files restraining order against BP
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/05/31/oil.spill.order/index.html
By Elizabeth Cohen, CNN
May 31, 2010 -- Updated 0744 GMT (1544 HKT)
New Orleans, Louisiana (CNN) -- A fisherman who was hospitalized after
becoming ill while cleaning up oil in the Gulf of Mexico has filed a
temporary restraining order in federal court against oil company BP.

John Wutsell Jr., is asking BP to give the workers masks and not harass
workers who publicly voice their health concerns.

Wutstell, a shrimper, said he was paid by BP to use his boat, Ramie's
Wish, to clean up oil that has been gushing into the Gulf since an oil
rig sank about 40 miles off the Louisiana coast, gushing an estimated
19,000 barrels (798, 000 gallons) of crude a day.

In an affidavit, Wustell wrote he started experiencing severe headaches
and nasal irritation on May 24. Over the next few days, he also
developed nosebleeds, an upset stomach, and aches.

On Friday, Wutstell was airlifted to West Jefferson Medical Center in
Marrero, Louisiana, where he remained hospitalized Sunday.

Eight other workers were brought to the hospital this week and were all
released.

"We need to start protecting these guys," said Jim Klick, Wutstell's lawyer.

In his affadavit, Wutstell described his experience at the hospital.

"At West Jefferson, there were tents set up outside the hospital, where
I was stripped of my clothing, washed with water and several showers,
before I was allowed into the hospital," Wutstell sais. "When I asked
for my clothing, I was told that BP had confiscated all of my clothing
and it would not be returned."

The restraining order requests that BP refrain from "altering, testing
or destroying clothing or any other evidence or potential evidence" when
workers become ill.

Graham MacEwen, a spokesman for BP, said he could not comment on the
restraining order, or on allegations that BP confiscated clothing.
Video: BP protesters swarm New Orleans
Video: Oil spill cleanup for show?
Video: BP CEO: 'Relief well ultimate solution'

He denied accusations from Clint Guidry, president of the Louisiana
Shrimpers Association, that BP has been threatening workers who speak
out about health concerns.

Fishermen contacted by CNN have declined to speak publicly.

Some, who are making as much as $3,000 a day cleaning up the oil, have
said they fear losing their jobs with BP.

"The BP oil spill wiped out their professions and their jobs this year
and possibly years down the road," Klick said. "The only work they can
get right now is with BP."

The BP spokesman said there have been no threats against workers for
speaking out.

"If they have any concerns, they should raise them with their
supervisors," MacEwen said. "They can also call the joint information
center and make complaints anonymously."

Wutstell is one of nine clean-up workers who were sent to the hospital
with symptoms such as shortness of breath, nose and throat irritation,
headaches, and dizziness.

The restraining order requests that BP stop using dispersants without
providing "appropriate personal protective equipment" to workers.

Corexit, a dispersant, is being sprayed into the Gulf to break down the
oil. The safety data information sheet from the manufacturer states that
people should "avoid breathing in vapor" from Corexit, and that masks
should be work when Corexit is present in certain concentrations in the air.

BP has not supplied workers with masks when they work near the oil and
dispersants.

"We're been carrying out very extensive air quality since early on in
this exercise, to make sure that we have working safe conditions, and
thus far not found situations where there are air quality concerns that
would require face masks," MacEwen said.

He added that workers who want to wear masks are "free to do so" as long
as they receive instructions from their supervisors on how to use them.

According to Guidry from the shrimpers' association, BP told workers
they were not allowed to wear masks.

"Some of our men asked, and they were told they'd be fired if they wore
masks," he said.

Tony Hayward, the chief executive officer of BP, offered another
explanation for the fishermen's illness: spoiled food.

"Food poisoning is clearly a big issue," Hayward said Sunday. "It's
something we've got to be very mindful of. It's one of the big issues of
keeping the Army operating. You know, the Army marches on their stomachs."

An expert on foodborne illness cast doubt on Hayward's theory.

"Headaches, shortness of breath, nosebleeds -- there's nothing there
that suggests foodborne illness," said Dr. Michael Osterholm, a
professor at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. "I
don't know what these people have, but it sounds more like a respiratory
illness."

**********
Dit bericht is verzonden via de informele D66 discussielijst (D66 at nic.surfnet.nl).
Aanmelden: stuur een email naar LISTSERV at nic.surfnet.nl met in het tekstveld alleen: SUBSCRIBE D66 uwvoornaam uwachternaam
Afmelden: stuur een email naar LISTSERV at nic.surfnet.nl met in het tekstveld alleen: SIGNOFF D66
Het on-line archief is te vinden op: http://listserv.surfnet.nl/archives/d66.html
**********